title: Epigenetics, autism spectrum, and neurodevelopmental disorders.
abstract: Epigenetic marks are modifications of DNA and histones. They are considered to be permanent within a single cell during development, and are heritable across cell division. Programming of neurons through epigenetic mechanisms is believed to be critical in neural development. Disruption or alteration in this process causes an array of neurodevelopmental disorders, including autism spectrum disorders (ASDs). Recent studies have provided evidence for an altered epigenetic landscape in ASDs and demonstrated the central role of epigenetic mechanisms in their pathogenesis. Many of the genes linked to the ASDs encode proteins that are involved in transcriptional regulation and chromatin remodeling. In this review we highlight selected neurodevelopmental disorders in which epigenetic dysregulation plays an important role. These include Rett syndrome, fragile X syndrome, Prader-Willi syndrome, Angelman syndrome, and Kabuki syndrome. For each of these disorders, we discuss how advances in our understanding of epigenetic mechanisms may lead to novel therapeutic approaches.
authors.affiliation: Developmental Neurogenetics Laboratory, Barrow Neurological Institute, Phoenix, AZ, 85013, USA.
authors.forename: Sampathkumar
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Rangasamy
authors.forename: Santosh R
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: D'Mello
authors.forename: Vinodh
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Narayanan
mesh_terms: D000015:Abnormalities, Multiple / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D017204:Angelman Syndrome / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D002648:Child; D002659:Child Development Disorders, Pervasive / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D019175:DNA Methylation; D044127:Epigenesis, Genetic; D005145:Face / Q000002:abnormalities*; D005600:Fragile X Syndrome / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D006402:Hematologic Diseases / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D006657:Histones / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D011218:Prader-Willi Syndrome / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D015518:Rett Syndrome / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D015837:Vestibular Diseases / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D006657:Histones